Spacing means

Abstract

The present application is directed toward a spacing means for aiding spacing of a plurality of elongated slats or fence palings in a planar manner to a supporting structure, wherein the spacing means comprises an elongated spine and a plurality of wedges as described herein.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
       1. A spacing means for aiding spacing of a plurality of elongated slats or fence palings in a planar manner to a supporting structure, the spacing means comprising
 a. an elongated spine; 
 b. a first abutment member fixedly mounted at a first end of the elongated spine; 
 c. a second abutment member mounted on the elongated spine in a moveable manner between the first end and an opposing second end of the elongate spine; 
 d. a plurality of spacers mounted on the elongated spine in a moveable manner and arranged intermediate the first and second abutment members; 
 wherein, in use, the first abutment member is arranged to abut an outer edge of a first outer one of the plurality of elongated slats or fence palings, the second abutment member is arranged to abut an outer edge of a second outer one of the plurality of elongated slats or fence palings, each of the plurality of spacers is respectively positioned between adjacent elongated slats or fence palings between the first and second outer ones of the plurality of elongated slats or fence palings; once the abutment member and spacers are positioned, the second abutment member is moved along the elongate spine towards the first end, movement of the second abutment member causes the plurality of elongated slats or fence palings to move towards the first outer one of the plurality of elongated slats or fence palings and the plurality of spacers are clamped between adjacent elongated slats or fence palings while maintaining an appropriate spacing between adjacent elongated slats or fence palings. 
 
     
     
       2. The spacing means according to  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of spacers are mounted on intermediate spacer mounts on the elongated spine. 
     
     
       3. The spacing means according to  claim 2  wherein the spine is a rod and holds the plurality of intermediate spacer mounts in a slidable manner with each of the spacers extending away from the rod. 
     
     
       4. The spacing means according to  claim 2  wherein the spine is a rod and holds the plurality of intermediate spacer mounts in a slidable manner with each of the spacers removably locked into the spacer mount by lock pin to allow replacement of different spacers. 
     
     
       5. The spacing means according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spacers each have a consistent width, wherein said width defines the appropriate spacing between adjacent elongated slats or fence palings. 
     
     
       6. The spacing means according to  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of spacers has a tapered wedge shape to assist in forcing a spacer between adjacent elongated slats or fence palings. 
     
     
       7. The spacing means according to  claim 1  wherein the spine is a rod. 
     
     
       8. The spacing means according to  claim 1  wherein the spine is a threaded rod engaging a threaded bearing at the first end of the elongated spine. 
     
     
       9. The spacing means according to  claim 8 , wherein the threaded rod provides a worm drive for moving the second abutment member in use. 
     
     
       10. The spacing means according to  claim 8 , wherein the threaded bearing is arranged with the first abutment member. 
     
     
       11. The spacing means according to  claim 10  wherein each of the spacers extend perpendicularly away from the rod. 
     
     
       12. The spacing means according to  claim 1  including a clamping means for urging a plurality of intermediate wedge mounts together slidably along the rod while the respective plurality of wedges can extend away from the rod and wedge between the plurality of elongated slats or fence palings in a planar manner.